MEDITATION ON FASTING
One morning I read of the time Jesus spent in the desert after his baptism. The bible tells us that when he came out of the water he was filled with the Holy Spirit, So after he had been filled with the Holy Spirit he was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert where he was tempted by Satan but resisted. Then we are told that he returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit which gave him his authority
Matthew 3:16 “ As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.”
Luke 4:1-2 says, “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.”
Luke 4:14 says, “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.”
I think that this is a crucial ‘key’ for living our Christian lives effectively. I know I have been filled by the Holy Spirit, probably more than once, and I know that I have been led by the Holy Spirit occasionally, but I can’t say that I have ever truly walked in the power of the Spirit with authority.
Day 2
Yesterday I learned that the religious observance of Lent is not what God requires of us. Lent is a religious thing. It is only my relationship with Jesus that is important, not that I half-heartedly fast from treats or TV.
Giving up sweets, chocolates or biscuits for Lent isn’t important. What really matters is that I am in Christ. What we do need to give up is stuff like pride, unforgiveness, and wrong passions; giving up or putting off what is not Christ-like. And not just for Lent but for always.
Jesus is the only thing that matters – anything else is religion.
I have often found myself in a dry, arid place and have usually blamed Satan but I have discovered that it is more likely to be the Spirit who has led me there, with a view to my learning new lessons and passing ever more difficult tests.
When I think I have learned a particular lesson I may again find myself in the same situation and need to remember the lesson and also take it to a new level in order to pass the new test – if that makes sense. But I am convinced that this is how we grow. We are always stronger after testing times, just as Jesus received power after his stint in the desert. The bible says that the devil led him - and I only saw that yesterday – but Jesus followed. And knowing all along who Jesus was the devil said, “If you are the son of God”.
He does this to us all the time, seeking to undermine our relationship with God. When we find ourselves in those dry desert places of our lives we need to know who we are in Christ in order to send the devil packing and pass the tests God gives us.
Day 3
I am discovering that fasting – true fasting – is part of our armoury; a vital and necessary weapon against the forces of evil.
I haven’t done it very often. I wasn’t much good at it when I did, but I feel that it is something I am being led into by the Holy Spirit; something he wants to teach me about.
This was not on my mind, or anywhere near it, when I began this blog, but it seems that I need to learn to fast. Not just by giving up sweets or the occasional meal, but prayerfully as Jesus did.
If I am already filled with the Holy Spirit and being led in this direction then I know that he will guide me and teach me and sustain me. I am expectant.
There are so many big issues in the world today that need God’s touch and influence. I believe that God is showing me that the church both corporately and individually, needs to take a more serious approach to fasting.
Fasting is a spiritual way of denying our selves and our bodily needs, if only for a short time, becoming weak and submissive before our God so that we learn to rely on him not on our own strengths.
Fasting is a way of coming empty before him and trusting him to fill us so that the filling can become power and authority.
Day 4
I brought up the question of fasting last night in our housegroup, and out of ten long-standing Christians – over thirty years – not one of us had ever been taught about fasting.
Some thought it was old-fashioned, some that is wasn’t really that important and was up to the individual, or that giving up TV watching for a couple of nights would be enough, whilst others had no opinion at all.
I was a bit stunned by the reactions to be honest as I thought it must just be me that didn’t know much about it.
But I believe that God is revealing to me the importance of fasting as part of spiritual warfare in my own life. As I’ve meditated on the subject I have come to believe the following:
- It is the key to power.
- It builds up our faith, and teaches us to depend on God.
- It humbles us.
- It is a sacrifice of suffering.
- Food is a basic human need and we give it up as an offering to God.
- It helps us to get prepared for what God has for us.
- It helps us to be strengthened for the spiritual battles.
- It shows God we are serious and mean business.
- It keeps us focused on God.
Day 5
Neither of the churches I’ve belonged to over the last thirty five years – first Anglican and presently free non-denominational - have had much to say on the question of fasting.
There have been a small number of times when I have done it but I’m not much good at it – so far – as often when I think to myself that I will fast, and mean to fast, I get so hungry that I simply forget I’m supposed to be fasting and end up eating a late lunch and feeling bad about it.
I have heard of people doing ‘Daniel fasts’ – eating only fruit and vegetables for a week - but I don’t think that would count for me, as I would love to live on strawberries and raspberries, peaches and grapes.
One time I did fast properly was with a group of four other ladies from church who all had issues, mostly with their families, that needed God’s touch. We aren’t close friends but have known each other for a long time and we decided to fast together on a certain day and pray continually for each others concerns. I have to say it was good and we all received answers to our prayers.
Most of what I have already said in the blog has come to me through prayer. I have not read books about it or researched it in any other way so I am convinced the Holy Spirit is leading me in this.
Day 6
It’s surprising how little we all seem to have been taught about fasting. When I was confirmed I was taught to fast before taking communion but really that is as far as my teaching on the subject went. There is a gap in my Christian education and I do so feel that it is something God is showing me. All the stuff on my blog has come directly from him, not from what I’ve heard or read elsewhere. But it seems right!
There is a difference in the fasts in the OT compared to those in the New and it needs to be a private thing, alone or in a small group, and for a specific purpose and with prayer. And I believe it should be seen as an offering to God of our selves in a small way.
Too many people don’t take it seriously enough and make light of it. Some other faiths do it as a religious practice. But I think it must be undertaken with a certain amount of respect and seriousness and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit – Jesus was led to fast. And I don’t think it should just be for Lent or whatever – although that’s what got me thinking.
There must be books about it but I would like to continue as I am for the moment just letting God lead me and show me things without the benefit of formal teaching on the subject, although I’m hoping that will come later.
I feel so much peace when writing about the things of God that I’m sure it’s right and good to communicate with each other like this - having these deeper conversations. In our daily lives it would take weeks before we felt we could open our hearts to strangers the way we do online.
Day7
This morning my thoughts about fasting were that it is something we need to do not half-heartedly but with our whole hearts so that it might be pleasing to God. And we should do it with expectancy; expecting answers to our prayers.
It should not be something we do for our physical health but for the well-being of our spirits. It is an exercise in strengthening our spirits; putting our spiritual needs before our bodily needs in order to draw even closer to God and discover the Father’s will.
